Chapter 156: Happy New Year!

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Zhou Chao’s hometown was a town under Fuzhou, not far from where he currently was, just a io-minute drive away. Third Grandfather’s house was conveniently located by the roadside. As Zhou Chao arrived, he saw many people standing on the open field, engaged in conversations.

“Hey, whose Mercedes is this, and why is it coming here?”

“I have no idea. I haven’t heard anyone in the family mention buying a car!”

“Could they be planning to park it here? Third Brother, go check it out!” A group of people noticed a big Mercedes parked in the open space. Third Brother went to investigate and saw a handsome man stepping out of the car.

“Third Uncle, long time no see!” The way the handsome man addressed him left Third Brother momentarily stunned. He carefully examined him for a moment.

“Oh, it’s you, young man! Xiao Chao, it’s been about five or six years since you last came back! I could hardly recognize you!” Third Uncle patted Zhou Chao on the shoulder and said with joy.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, look who’s back!” Saying this, Third Uncle grabbed Zhou Chao’s hand and walked towards the crowd.

As the people who were chatting heard Third Uncle’s call, they all turned their gazes in that direction.

Several of them looked at the person walking with Third Uncle and became increasingly familiar with the figure. Until they were almost face to face, Second Uncle suddenly exclaimed, “Zhou Chao! You finally decided to come back!”

“Big Uncle, Second Uncle! It’s been a long time!” Zhou Chao warmly greeted them. He had initially thought that after several years of absence, he might have become a stranger to them.

“Young man, have you struck it rich now? You’re driving a big Mercedes, not bad, not bad!” First Uncle inspected Zhou Chao’s car with a satisfied expression, perhaps this was the bond of family.

“No, I’ve been away, testing my fortune for a few years. Thanks to the support of some great friends, I managed to earn a bit of extra money.” Zhou Chao didn’t want to come across as boastful about his success outside. After all, he hadn’t returned in several years and was uncertain about the current circumstances. It wouldn’t be appropriate to brag excessively.

“Go see your Third Grandfather; he’s been talking about you for years since you haven’t visited in so long!” First Uncle’s words reminded Zhou Chao of the red envelopes Third Grandfather used to give him when he was a child. Although he wasn’t the recipient at the time, he had inherited those emotions.

“Yes, 1’11 go in and see him!” Zhou Chao replied and walked inside.

Upon entering, he saw an elderly man with a head full of white hair sitting on the sofa, watching TV with a kind smile.

“Third Grandfather, Happy New Year!” Zhou Chao walked up to the old man, half-kneeling as he greeted him.

“You…you’re Xiao Chao! It’s been a few years since you last came to see Third Grandfather! If you didn’t come this time, 1 might never see you again!” Third Grandfather held Zhou Chao’s hand, smiling.

“Third Grandfather, you’re surely going to live at least until you’re a hundred!”

“Haha, my grandson is right; I will live to be at least until I’m a hundred years old!”” Zhou Chao spent the time chatting with the old man, mostly listening to his stories.

They reminisced about their childhood adventures, like sneaking out to catch fish and shrimp. Zhou Chao’s father was quite mischievous when he was young. It was a trip down memory lane, and Zhou Chao was completely captivated by the stories.

“Ah, the older generation in your family passed away early. I didn’t expect your parents to go so soon. Child, you must have endured a lot out there these years.” Third Grandfather, while patting Zhou Chao’s head, couldn’t help but sigh, “Life is unfair, isn’t it?”

“Third Grandfather, I’m fine. It’s been many years now, and I’ve moved on!”

“Hmm, you go and spend time with the young folks. The old man is a bit tired.” Zhou Chao knew that Third Grandfather was reminded of his own grandfather when he saw him. After all, they were brothers, and now only Zhou Chao remained.

Zhou Chao walked out, and more people had gathered outside, including Third Aunt and some young people he didn’t recognize.

“Third Aunt, why are you here alone? Where’s Uncle and Guo Yan?” Zhou Chao looked around and spotted Third Aunt alone.

“They went to his grandfather’s house. I’m the only one here. Where will you go this afternoon? Will you stay and play here, or go back to Fuzhou?”

“I’ll go back,” Zhou Chao thought for a moment and decided it was better to return.

“All right, we can go back together later.”

Soon, it was time for lunch. There were about five tables set up, totaling around thirty people. Zhou Chao and Third Aunt found a table and sat down.

Zhou Chao wasn’t much of a talker during meals, so when his name came up at their table, he responded with nods or shakes of his head. Eventually, no one mentioned him anymore, and they were all discussing how wonderful their own children were. Zhou Chao finished his meal quickly.

After eating his fill, Zhou Chao excused himself and went outside, leaning against his car and lighting a cigarette.

“Are you not used to it?” a voice asked. Zhou Chao looked up to see First Uncle approaching him.

“First Uncle, have one!” Zhou Chao casually took a pack of cigarettes from his bag and handed one to him.

“Young man, you’re really doing well now. These Panda cigarettes cost at least a hundred yuan a pack! They might not even be available for purchase!” Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao quickly handed over the cigarette he was holding to First Uncle.

“Young man, aren’t you going to smoke?”

“First Uncle, I still have some in the car.”

“Alright, 1’11 take this one. When are you planning to leave?” First Uncle’s question caught Zhou Chao off guard.

“What’s wrong? You haven’t been back in several years, and I know it can get boring here. If you want to leave, just go ahead. 1 understand.”

“Got it, First Uncle!”

First Uncle nodded and was about to go inside when Zhou Chao stopped him.

“By the way, First Uncle, I brought some small gifts this time, planning to give them to the kids. I didn’t realize there were more children now after all these years. Can you help me figure out how to distribute them later?”

Zhou Chao opened the trunk, took out a bag, and handed it to Uncle.

“What did you buy?” First Uncle asked as he received the bag from Zhou Chao.

“It’s nothing valuable, just around ten pieces of gold jewelry.” Zhou Chao’s words startled Uncle, and he quickly handed over what he was holding to Zhou Chao.

“Why did you buy such valuable things? You’re spending money recklessly. Don’t you know you should save money to get married and continue the Zhou family line?” Seeing First Uncle’s serious expression, Zhou Chao understood that this honest and straightforward man was genuinely concerned for him.

“Don’t worry, First Uncle! I know what I’m doing, and I’ve already made the purchase. Keeping the money wouldn’t serve any purpose. I’ll trouble you to figure out how to distribute these gifts later.” After giving it some thought, First Uncle ultimately didn’t return the bag to Zhou Chao.

“All right, I’ll thank you on behalf of the younger generation then.”

“First Uncle, you’re being too polite. This can be considered my compensation for them over the past few years.”

“Okay, I’ll go put these things away. It’s not practical to carry them around!” Zhou Chao nodded in agreement, and First Uncle went inside with the bag.

They soon finished their meal and tidied up. Some people continued chatting while others played games. Zhou Chao lay in his car, playing with his phone.

Third Aunt chatted with the other aunts until nearly 2 o’clock before they finally wrapped up. Zhou Chao greeted Third Grandfather, First Uncle, Second Uncle, and others before leaving with Third Aunt..